A Grapefruit Radler is just beer and grapefruit juice or soda, and it’s SO refreshing!
A shandy is a classic British beer cocktail that has been served as a refreshing pick-me-up on hot days for well over 150 years. It was originally made with beer and ginger ale, but the ginger ale has been replaced with lemon soda or lemonade over time as palate changes.
This recipe is a newer twist using grapefruit juice or soda. Even with just two ingredients, it’s a super quick and easy cocktail that doesn’t hold back the flavor.
Grapefruit juice or lemonade instead of lemonade or lemonade will give your shandy a sweet and sour taste with hints of floral aroma. Whether you use fresh grapefruit juice, store-bought grapefruit juice, or sparkling grapefruit lemonade, they all pair well with a light lager.
- If you’re juicing fresh grapefruit, use a sweet variety like Oro Blanco, Rio Red, or another light pink variety. White grapefruit is more bitter, which clashes with the already bitter beer.
- For this cocktail I recommend a Hefeweizen – it has a light citrus flavor with lots of bubbles. But if that’s not available in your area, a pilsner is also a good option. I would choose Carlsberg for its crisp citrus flavor.
Grapefruit Shandy sounds a lot like…
Well, if a grapefruit shandy sounds a lot like German shandy or French panaché, you’re right! The shandy is half beer and half lemon or grapefruit soda. Likewise, a panaché contains lemon soda. The Radler has more flexibility in the ratios of beer to juice or soda, plus you don’t have to use carbonated soda, it can be a juice.
How to serve a grapefruit shandy
A tall, capacious glass, like a standard pint glass, holds this drink well. A Collins glass that holds 12 ounces is also a great option.
A slice of grapefruit and a sprig of mint make for fragrant garnishes.
When it’s hot outside
- Peach Margarita
- Caipirinha
- Frozen Banana Daiquiri
- Mai Tai cocktail
- Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Grapefruit Radler
Both grapefruit juice and grapefruit soda are acceptable. Sodas have added sugar, while the sweetness varies from fresh-squeezed or store-bought grapefruit juice. If your grapefruit juice is acidic, consider adding 1/2 ounce of simple syrup.
ingredients
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4 ounces bright wheat beerchilled
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3 ounces grapefruit juice or lemonadechilled
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Fresh Grapefruit slice, for garnish (optional)
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Fresh mint sprig, for garnish (optional)
method
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Mix the ingredients together and serve:
Pour into a 12 ounce glass of beer and grapefruit juice or soda. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and mint, if you like. Serve cold.
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| nutritional information (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 83 | calories |
| 0g | Fat |
| 12g | carbohydrates |
| 1g | protein |
